Handicapping Hazeltine: The Favorites

Hunter Mahan -- Best Finish: T-18 -- Ready for some stats? He's one of the hottest golfers on the planet if you look past the British Open, where, like a certain someone, Mahan missed the cut after a nasty second round 79. In his last five tournaments, the 27-year-old hasn't finished out of the top-6 besides Turnberry. His scoring average on United States soil since the U.S. Open has been 67.75. He finished in the top-10 at both Augusta and Bethpage Black. He is ranked eighth on the PGA Tour in total driving (a must at Hazeltine), fourth in scoring average and has improved his putting average 107 spots from a year ago (not great, but 79th on tour is better than 186th).

He's seems to be the popular "favorite that isn't named Tiger" pick this week, and for good reason. If a young American is going to break through in '09, Mahan is most likely to do it.

Steve Stricker -- 2 -- Stricker is the grizzled veteran of this bunch, set out to show that experience trumps anything the muscle-bound group possesses. A ripe 42 years old, Stricker has already claimed two victories on tour this season, his first multiple win season since 1996, and finished t-6 at the Masters earlier this year. The reason Stricker can do what he does lies with a tool most aren't so friendly with -- the putter -- and he does it as good as anyone. This season, Stricker ranks fifth in putting average and ninth in putts per round, and is leading that important category as "old guy that can do what the other old guys couldn't this year at majors." That is, finish off the tournament. He missed the cut at Hazeltine in '02, but he is a far different player than he was seven years ago.

Stewart Cink -- T-3 -- Padraig did it last year, so why can't Cink pull off the British-PGA double dip? He took off two weeks after his British Open win for vacation, only to show up at Firestone still sharp. Cink finished t-6 at the Bridgestone with four rounds in the 60s, and will be coming to Hazeltine with a new confidence in major championships.

Padraig Harrington -- WON -- If you think Padraig took anything but positives from last week's loss to Tiger at Firestone, I really don't know what to tell you. Harrington has won more major championships since 2007 than anyone alive, and after swing changes, he seems to finally be honing that golf swing. (Remember, when Tiger went through his first swing change, it took him eight majors to claim another major. Another time, during '03-'05, Woods went another eight majors without claiming a title). His finish last week was evidence of this, and if you don't think he heads to Hazeltine with confidence, you probably don't get golf. Harrington will be a factor. Don't let one bad hole at Firestone cloud your thinking.

Tiger Woods -- WON -- Last time Tiger went without a major title in a single year? 2004. Last time Tiger won less than six tournaments in a full season? 2004. Last time people started to doubt Tiger's ability to pull through in the clutch? About four weeks ago.

Tiger even admitted himself that he was happy with his 2009 season, explaining in his Tuesday press conference that, "It's been a great year (if I win this week or not)." That great year turns historical if he can win at Hazeltine. Woods also admitted on Tuesday that last year at this time he was just learning how to walk properly again, so to expect even Tiger to come back with this type of year has been incredible. Now going for three in a row at a course he finished runner-up at in '02, just like any other week, it's Tiger's tournament to lose. This time, it seems that won't be the case.